oxytocin
noun
oxy·to·cin
ˌäk-si-ˈtō-sᵊn 
: a pituitary octapeptide hormone C43H66N12O12S2 that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk
Examples of oxytocin in a Sentence
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Plus shedding emotional tears is scientifically proven to release oxytocin and endorphins.
—
Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
What's more, when playing with their friends, their brain releases oxytocin which is also known as the love hormone.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Attachment: The bonding stage During romantic love, several chemicals are at play, primarily oxytocin and vasopressin.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Part of that is neurochemical: Oxytocin sparks the urge to bond, which triggers the release of even more oxytocin in a supremely soothing cycle.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
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Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
What's more, when playing with their friends, their brain releases oxytocin which is also known as the love hormone.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Attachment: The bonding stage During romantic love, several chemicals are at play, primarily oxytocin and vasopressin.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Part of that is neurochemical: Oxytocin sparks the urge to bond, which triggers the release of even more oxytocin in a supremely soothing cycle.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxytocin
Cite this Entry
“Oxytocin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxytocin. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
oxytocin
noun
oxy·to·cin
-ˈtōs-ᵊn
1
: an octapeptide hormone C43H66N12O12S2 secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk
called also alpha-hypophamine
2
: a synthetic version of oxytocin used especially to initiate or increase uterine contractions (as in the induction of labor) see pitocin
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